Boxing day hit by Tube strike... and three more walkouts in new year

Members of the Aslef union, which represents drivers, have voted to walk out after London Underground bosses refused to give them triple pay - £366 - and a day off for working the bank holiday.

Three more strikes will be staged on January 16, February 3 and February 13. Tube bosses are considering trying to obtain a High Court injunction but a similar legal move failed last year. Boris Johnson called the strikers "cynical, chiselling and wrong", adding: "Every driver knows when they sign up that they could be rostered to do Boxing Day."

Business leaders warned the retail industry could not afford to lose trade on the first day of the post-Christmas sales, when shoppers pour into London. Disruption could increase if drivers belonging to the RMT union, which is not involved in the dispute, refuse to cross picket lines.

Aslef, which represents more than half of all Tube drivers, announced the action today after 92 per cent voted in favour. Sources said the turnout was 42 per cent.

A senior Aslef source said: "London Underground has been dragging its heels over the Boxing Day issue. We want to meet and thrash this out but LU won't do that." Howard Collins, LU's chief operating officer, said: "It is disgraceful for the Aslef leadership to threaten strike action while we are engaged in continuing discussions on this issue.

"The threat of strike action will not achieve anything and I urge Aslef to join us in our commitment to resolve this matter through discussions.

"LU has a long-standing agreement with all its trade unions which cover staff working arrangements on bank holidays, and Boxing Day is included in that agreement."

Train drivers have just won a four-year pay deal which will put them on £52,000 basic by 2015. They will also be paid up to £1,200 extra for working during the Games.

Aslef wants Boxing Day working to be voluntary. But it is unlikely there would be many volunteers unless there is an incentive.

Union executive committee member Terry Wilkinson said: "Something like triple time and a day in lieu would, I am sure, ensure takers." General secretary Mick Whelan said: "Working Boxing Day and other bank holidays means unsocial hours for our members."

A train driver died after being found collapsed in his cab when the 9.33 Weybridge to Waterloo failed to leave on schedule today.